Detailed Description
One or more embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each of the figures, like components are denoted by like reference numerals; therefore, a repetitive description of the components may be omitted.
< first embodiment >
Fig. 1 is a plan view of an example of an optoelectronic module according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a photovoltaic module according to the first embodiment, and shows a cross-section taken along line a-a in fig. 1.
Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the photovoltaic module 1 includes a substrate 10, a photovoltaic element 20, and a spacer 30.
The substrate 10 is a substrate on which the photoelectric element 20 and the like are provided. The substrate 10 has an interconnect pattern for electrically connecting one or more pads comprising the component and electrically connecting a target portion of the component. As the substrate 10, for example, a resin substrate (e.g., a glass epoxy substrate or the like), a glass substrate, a silicon substrate, a ceramic substrate, or the like is used as appropriate.
The present embodiment will be described below using the substrate 10 having a rectangular planar shape as an example. However, the planar shape of the substrate 10 is not limited to a rectangular shape. Note that the plan view means that the object is viewed from a direction orthogonal to the upper surface 10a of the substrate 10. The planar shape refers to a shape of an object viewed from a direction orthogonal to the upper surface 10a of the substrate 10.
The photovoltaic element 20 comprises a substrate 21, a power generator 22 and a substrate 23. The power generator 22 is interposed between the substrate 21 and the substrate 23 in the vertical direction. The periphery of the power generator 22 may be sealed with resin or the like.
A photoelectric element 20 is provided on the upper surface 10a of the substrate 10, and a light receiving surface of the photoelectric element 20 is oriented upward (a side not facing the upper surface 10a of the substrate 10). For example, the photoelectric element 20 is fixed to the upper surface 10a of the substrate 10 via the adhesive layer 60. Examples of the adhesive layer 60 include a resin-based adhesive, a double-sided tape, and the like.
The substrate 23 is transparent, and sunlight or the like enters the light receiving surface of the power generator 22 via the substrate 23. The substrates 21 and 23 are each formed of, for example, glass. Note that a plurality of photoelectric elements 20 may be provided over one substrate 10. In this case, the plurality of photoelectric elements 20 may be electrically connected in parallel, or electrically connected in series.
The photoelectric element 20 is an element that converts light energy into electric energy. Examples of the photoelectric element 20 include a solar cell, a photodiode, and the like. Examples of the solar cell include an amorphous silicon solar cell, an organic thin film solar cell, a perovskite solar cell, a dye-sensitized solar cell, and the like.
In the above example, the dye-sensitized solar cell is advantageous for cost reduction because the dye-sensitized solar cell can be manufactured by a conventional printing method. In particular, from the viewpoint of maintaining increased load resistance, a solid dye-sensitized solar cell which constitutes the dye-sensitized solar cell and in which the hole transport layer is formed of a solid material is preferable.
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a power generator of a photovoltaic element. When the photoelectric element 20 is a dye-sensitized solar cell, for example, the power generator 22 has a cross-sectional structure shown in fig. 3.
In the example of the structure of the power generator 22 shown in fig. 3, the first electrode 222 is formed on the substrate 221, the hole blocking layer 223 is formed on the first electrode 222, and the electron transport layer 224 is formed on the hole blocking layer 223. The photoactive compound 225 is adsorbed in the electron transport material in the electron transport layer 224. A hole transport layer 226 is interposed between the first electrode 222 and a second electrode 227 facing the first electrode 222. The first electrode 222 is connected to a positive terminal by, for example, a lead wire or the like. The second electrode 227 is connected to a negative electrode terminal by, for example, a lead wire or the like. The power generator 22 will be described in detail below.
[ substrate ]
The substrate 221 is not particularly limited and may be implemented by any known substrate. The substrate 221 is preferably formed of a transparent material. Examples of such materials include glass, transparent plastic sheets, transparent plastic films, inorganic transparent crystals, and the like.
[ first electrode ]
The first electrode 222 is not particularly limited as long as the first electrode 222 is formed of a conductive material transparent to visible light. The first electrode 222 may be appropriately selected for any purpose. As the first electrode 222, any known electrode used in a general photoelectric element or a liquid crystal panel can be used.
Examples of the material of the first electrode 222 include Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO), indium zinc oxide, niobium titanium oxide, graphene, and the like. One material in the above examples may be used alone, or a combination of two or more materials in the above examples may be used.
The thickness of the first electrode 222 is preferably between 5nm and 100 μm, and more preferably between 50nm and 10 μm.
In order to maintain a certain hardness, the first electrode 222 is preferably disposed on the substrate 221 formed of a material transparent to visible light. Note that any known component in which the first electrode 222 and the substrate 221 are integrated may be used. Examples of such components include FTO coated glass, ITO coated glass, zinc oxide doped aluminum coated glass, FTO coated clear plastic film, ITO coated clear plastic film, and the like.
[ hole-blocking layer ]
The hole blocking layer 223 is provided to avoid power reduction due to recombination of holes in the electrolyte with electrons on the surface of the electrode (electron back transfer) when the electrolyte is in contact with the electrode. In particular, with respect to the solid dye-sensitized solar cell, the hole blocking layer 223 has the above-described effect. This is because a solid dye-sensitized solar cell using an organic hole transport material or the like has an increased recombination rate of holes in the hole transport material with electrons on the surface of an electrode (electron back transfer) as compared with a wet dye-sensitized solar cell using an electrolyte.
The hole blocking layer 223 preferably includes a metal oxide containing a titanium atom and a niobium atom. If necessary, another metal atom may be included. The hole blocking layer 223 is preferably formed of a metal oxide containing a titanium atom and a niobium atom. The hole blocking layer 223 is preferably transparent to visible light, and the hole blocking layer 223 is preferably dense to function as a hole blocking layer.
The average thickness of the hole blocking layer 223 is preferably 1000nm or less, and more preferably between 0.5nm and 500 nm. When the average thickness of the hole blocking layer 223 is in the range of 0.5nm to 500nm, the back transfer of electrons can be prevented without preventing the transfer of electrons to the transparent conductive film (first electrode 222). Thus improving photovoltaic conversion efficiency. Further, when the average thickness of the hole stopper 223 is less than 0.5nm, the film density is reduced, and thus electron-back transfer cannot be sufficiently avoided. When the average thickness of the hole blocking layer 223 exceeds 500nm, internal stress increases, and thus cracks are more likely to occur.
[ Electron transport layer ]
An electron transport layer 224 (which is an example of a porous layer) is formed on the hole blocking layer 223. Preferably, the electron transport layer 224 includes an electron transport material, such as semiconductor microparticles or a metal oxide. The electron transport material preferably adsorbs the photosensitive compound 225 described below.
The electron transport material is not particularly limited and may be selected for any purpose. The electron transport material is preferably a semiconductor material, such as a rod-like material or a tubular material. In the following description, the semiconductor microparticles may be described by way of example. However, the electron transporting material is not limited to the semiconductor microparticles.
The electron transport layer 224 may be a single layer or multiple layers. In the case of multiple layers, a dispersion of semiconductor microparticles, each having a different particle size, may be coated on the multiple layers (films). Alternatively, different semiconductors may be applied on multiple layers, or coating layers with different resin and additive compositions may be applied on multiple layers. Multilayer coatings are effective when one coating forms an electron transport layer with insufficient thickness.
The semiconductor is not particularly limited, and any known semiconductor may be used as the semiconductor. Specifically, the semiconductor may include a single semiconductor such as silicon or germanium; compound semiconductors such as metal chalcogenide compounds; a compound having a perovskite structure; and so on.
The particle size of the semiconductor microparticles is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected for any purpose. The average particle size of the primary particles is preferably between 1nm and 100nm, and more preferably between 5nm and 50 nm. When the semiconductor microparticles with the increased average particle size are mixed or laminated, incident light is scattered. This effect can improve electron transfer efficiency. In this case, the average particle size of the semiconductor microparticles is preferably between 50nm and 500 nm.
In general, the amount of the light-sensitive compound supported per unit of projected area increases with the thickness of the electron transport layer 224, and the capture rate of light increases accordingly. However, since the diffusion distance of the injected electrons increases, the loss due to charge recombination increases. From the above viewpoint, the thickness of the electron transport layer 224 is preferably between 100nm and 100 μm, more preferably between 100nm and 50 μm, and further preferably between 100nm and 10 μm.
[ photosensitive Compounds ]
To further improve the conversion efficiency, the electron transport layer 224 preferably includes an electron transport material that adsorbs the photosensitive compound 225 (dye). Specific examples of the photosensitive compound 225 are described in detail in, for example, japanese patent No. 6249093.
As a method of adsorbing the photosensitive compound 225 in the electron transport layer 224 (electron transport material), a method of immersing an electron collecting electrode including the electron transport layer 224 (an electrode in which the substrate 221, the first electrode 222, and the hole blocking layer 223 are formed) in a solution or dispersion of the photosensitive compound 225 is used. Another method of coating a solution or dispersion on the electron transport layer 224 for adsorption may be used.
In the case of the method of immersing the electron collecting electrode, an immersion method, a roll method, an air knife method, or the like may be used. In the case of a method of coating a solution or dispersion, a wire bar method, a hopper method, an extrusion method, a curtain method, a rotation method, a spray method, or the like can be used.
Adsorption can be achieved in a supercritical fluid using carbon dioxide or the like.
The condensing agent may be used simultaneously to adsorb the photosensitive compound 225. The condensing agent may include an agent having a catalytic action that is assumed to physically or chemically bind the photosensitive compound 225 to the electron transport material on the inorganic surface; or include agents that have a stoichiometric effect to advantageously cause chemical equilibrium.
[ hole transport layer ]
The hole transport layer 226 includes an electrolyte solution in which a redox couple is dissolved in an organic solvent; a gel electrolyte in which a liquid in which a redox couple is dissolved in an organic solvent is impregnated in a polymer matrix; a molten salt comprising a redox couple; a solid electrolyte; an inorganic hole transport material; organic hole transport materials, and the like. In the above examples, organic hole transport materials are preferred. Note that in the following description, the organic hole transport material will be described as an example. However, the hole transport layer 226 is not limited to being formed of an organic hole transport material.
The hole transport layer 226 may be a single layer structure formed of a single material, or a laminated structure formed of a plurality of compounds. In the case of a laminated structure, it is preferable to use a polymer material in the hole transport layer 226 near the second electrode 227. When a polymer material having good deposition is used, the surface of the porous electron transport layer 224 may be smoothed. Therefore, the photovoltaic conversion characteristics can be improved.
Since the polymer material is less likely to penetrate the porous electron transport layer 224, the surface of the porous electron transport layer 224 has excellent coating properties. Therefore, the polymer material is effective in preventing short circuits when the electrodes are provided. Therefore, higher performance can be achieved.
The organic hole transporting material used in the single-layer structure formed of a single material is not particularly limited, and any known organic hole transporting compound is used.
The thickness of the hole transport layer 226 is not particularly limited and may be selected for any purpose. The hole transport layer 226 preferably has a structure embedded in the pores of the porous electron transport layer 224. The thickness of the hole transport layer 226 on the electron transport layer 224 is more preferably 0.01 μm or more, and further preferably between 0.1 μm and 10 μm.
[ second electrode ]
The second electrode 227 may be formed on the hole transport layer 226; or on a metal oxide in the hole transport layer 226. As the second electrode 227, the same electrode as the first electrode 222 can be used. When the second electrode 227 has a configuration that sufficiently maintains strength and sealing performance, support is not necessarily required.
Examples of the material of the second electrode 227 include: metals such as platinum, gold, silver, copper and aluminum; carbon-based compounds such as graphite, fullerene, carbon nanotube or graphene; conductive metal oxides such as ITO, FTO, or ATO; conductive polymers such as polythiophene or polyaniline, and the like.
The thickness of the second electrode 227 is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected for any purpose. The second electrode 227 may be appropriately formed on the hole transport layer 226 by painting, lamination, evaporation, chemical evaporation (CDV), bonding, or the like, in consideration of the target material and the type of the hole transport layer 226.
Note that at least one of the first electrode 222 and the second electrode 227 needs to be substantially transparent in order for the power generator to perform photovoltaic conversion. In the example of fig. 3, the first electrode 222 is transparent, and thus sunlight or the like is incident from the first electrode 222 side.
In this way, in the photovoltaic module 1, the first electrode 222 is positioned toward the substrate 23, and the power generator 22 is arranged between the substrate 21 and the substrate 23. In this case, a material that reflects light is preferably used in the second electrode 227. For example, such materials include metals; depositing a glass of conductive oxide; plastic; thin metal films, and the like. Advantageously, an antireflection layer is provided on the side on which the light is incident.
The photoelectric element 20 including the power generator 22 may have an increased conversion efficiency even in the case of low incident light such as indoor light.
Referring back to fig. 1 and 2, the spacers 30, the height of which is greater than the thickness of the photoelectric element 20, are arranged more outward than the photoelectric element 20 and on the upper surface 10a of the substrate 10. The spacer 30 is a frame-like member that is continuously arranged and surrounds the outer periphery of the photoelectric element 20. The spacer 30 is fixed, for example, with an adhesive or the like, near the outer periphery of the substrate 10 and on the upper surface 10a of the substrate 10. The inner surface of the spacer 30 is spaced from the outer periphery of the photocell 20.
For example, the transparent member is disposed on the spacer 30. When the transparent member is disposed on the spacer 30 in contact with the transparent member and the photoelectric element 20 is interposed between the substrate 10 and the transparent member, the spacer 30 may be disposed to allow a gap between the member and the photoelectric element 20.
For example, when there is only one columnar spacer having a height greater than the thickness of the photoelectric element 20, the condition of the gap is not satisfied. When the transparent member is arranged on the spacer 30, the spacer 30 needs to be arranged to allow a gap between the member and the photoelectric element 20.
The spacers 30 are continuously arranged to surround the outer periphery of the photoelectric element 20. In this way, when the transparent member is disposed on the spacer 30, a gap between the member and the photoelectric element 20 can be obtained.
The material of the spacer 30 is not particularly limited, and may include a rigid material such as metal, glass, or plastic. Alternatively, the material of the spacer 30 may comprise an elastic material, such as rubber. Note, however, that when an elastic material is used as the material of the spacer 30, in the case where a load is applied to the spacer 30 through the transparent member, the spacer 30 preferably has a height such that the transparent member does not contact the photoelectric element 20.
To account for deflection of target members to be disposed on the spacer 30; and in case of a load applied to the target member, the spacer 30 preferably has a height such that the member does not contact the photoelectric element 20 when the assumed load is actually applied to the member.
Specifically, the height of the spacer 30 is set to allow the gap between the target member to be arranged on the spacer 30 and the photoelectric element 20 to be larger than a predetermined value in consideration of the maximum deflection amount of the member. The predetermined value of the gap is calculated based on the maximum deflection amount, which is assumed to be the maximum when a uniformly distributed load is applied to the rectangular glass, the four sides of which are supported by the respective pillars.
Specifically, consider a case where δ C ═ α Wa4/Et2The height of the spacer 30 is set by the maximum deflection amount calculated (equation 1). In the formula, δ C represents the maximum deflection amount, W represents the (uniformly distributed) load (MPa), a represents the length (mm) of the short side of the rectangular glass, and b represents the length (mm) of the long side of the rectangular glass. Further, α represents a deflection coefficient according to a ratio of the short side to the long side, t represents a thickness (mm) of the rectangular glass, and E represents a young's modulus (MPa) of the rectangular glass.
For example, when a load of W ═ 1Mpa is applied to a rectangular glass, in formula 1, a ═ 88 mm; b is 264mm (alpha is 0.139); the thickness t is 5 mm; young's modulus E ═ 7.16X 104Mpa, the maximum deflection δ C is about 4.7mm as calculated by the above formula 1.
In this case, the member and the photoelectric element 20 are desirably separated by the above-described maximum deflection amount or more. For example, the member and photocell 20 are separated by a distance of 4.7mm or greater. In view of manufacturing variations, it is desirable to account for errors of about 1% relative to the thickness of the component.
Fig. 4 is a plan view of an optoelectronic module according to a comparative example. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an optoelectronic module according to a comparative example, and shows a cross-section taken along line B-B in fig. 4.
Referring to fig. 4 and 5, the photovoltaic module 1X is different from the photovoltaic module 1 (see fig. 1 and 2) in that the photovoltaic module 1X does not have the spacer 30.
When the photovoltaic module 1X shown in fig. 4 and 5 is not provided with the spacer 30, for example, in the case of placing a member on the photovoltaic module 1X, a surface load is directly applied to the photovoltaic element 20. Therefore, the power of the photoelectric element 20 is greatly reduced due to the power generator 22 inside the photoelectric element 20, damage of the substrate 23 in the surface of the photoelectric element 20, and the like.
In contrast, for the photovoltaic module 1 shown in fig. 1 and 2, the height of the spacer 30 is greater than the thickness of the photovoltaic element 20. In this case, for example, even when the member is placed on the photovoltaic module 1, a gap between the member and the photovoltaic element 20 can be obtained. Therefore, a surface load is not applied to the photoelectric element 20, and the photoelectric element 20 is not deteriorated. Therefore, the photoelectric element 20 can maintain increased power.
As described above, the photovoltaic module 1 has the spacer 30, and the spacer 30 has a height greater than the thickness of the photovoltaic element 20. When the transparent member is arranged on the spacer 30, the spacer 30 is arranged to allow a gap between the member and the photoelectric element 20.
In this way, even when an external load is applied to the transparent member and thus the member is deflected, the external load is not directly applied to the photoelectric element 20. Therefore, the photoelectric element 20 can be prevented from being deteriorated by an external load. Therefore, the photoelectric element 20 can maintain increased power.
In particular, when the electrolyte of the photoelectric element 20 is a liquid, the spacer 30 allows a space between the member and the photoelectric element 20. Further, the photoelectric element 20 can be prevented from being damaged by an external load. Therefore, the spacer 30 is useful from the viewpoint of preventing liquid leakage.
Note that the space between the transparent member and the photoelectric element 20 is not preferably filled with resin or the like. This is because, when the member is deflected by an external load on the transparent member, the external load is applied to the photoelectric element 20 through the resin or the like, which may cause deterioration of the photoelectric element 20. It is extremely important to provide a gap between the transparent member and the photoelectric element 20.
Note that the spacer 30 is preferably white. Even in the case where the spacer 30 has a color other than white, resistance to an external load can be sufficiently obtained. The white spacer 30 reflects the light concentrated in the photoelectric element 20. Thereby, the power of the photoelectric element 20 can be further increased.
The substrate 10 and the spacer 30 may be integrally formed.
< modification 1 of the first embodiment >
Modification 1 of the first embodiment provides an example of an optoelectronic module having a spacer having a shape different from that described in the first embodiment. Note that in modification 1 of the first embodiment, the explanation of the same configuration as that described in the above-described embodiment may be omitted.
Fig. 6 is a plan view of an example of the photovoltaic module according to modification 1 of the first embodiment. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the photovoltaic module according to modification 1 of the first embodiment, and shows a cross-section taken along line C-C in fig. 6.
Referring to fig. 6 and 7, the photovoltaic module 1A is different from the photovoltaic module 1 (see fig. 1 and 2) in that the spacer 30 is replaced with a spacer 30A. The spacers 30 have a continuous shape, and the spacers 30A are discontinuously arranged.
In the example shown in fig. 6 and 7, three spacers 30A are arranged outside each of two opposite sides of the photoelectric element 20, the photoelectric element 20 being inserted in a plan view. Each spacer 30A has a height greater than the thickness of the photoelectric element 20, and is arranged further outward than the photoelectric element 20 and on the upper surface 10A of the substrate 10. The spacers 30A are members that are discontinuously arranged to surround the outer periphery of the photoelectric element 20. Each spacer 30A is fixed to the upper surface 10A of the substrate 10 with an adhesive, for example, near the outer periphery of the substrate 10. The inner surface of each spacer 30A is spaced apart from the outer periphery of the photoelectric element 20.
As in the case of the spacer 30, when a transparent member is arranged on the spacer 30A in contact with the transparent member and the photoelectric element 20 is interposed between the substrate 10 and the transparent member, the spacer 30A may be arranged to allow a gap between the member and the photoelectric element 20.
Note, however, that the arrangement of the spacers in fig. 6 and 7 is described as an example. For example, a plurality of spacers 30A may be discontinuously arranged at predetermined intervals outside the four side surfaces of the photoelectric element 20. Alternatively, the respective L-shaped spacers 30A may be discontinuously arranged near the four corners of the photoelectric element 20. Other arrangements of spacers may be implemented.
The material of the spacer 30A is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected from the examples of the materials already described in the spacer 30. As in the case of the spacer 30, the deflection of the target member to be arranged on the spacer 30A is taken into consideration; and in anticipation of the load applied to the target member, each spacer 30A preferably has a height such that the member does not contact photocell 20 when the assumed load is actually applied to the member.
As described above, the spacers may have a continuous shape, or the spacers may be discontinuously arranged. From the viewpoint of strength, a spacer having a continuous shape is effective.
< second embodiment >
The second embodiment will be described using an example of a photovoltaic module in which a substrate is arranged on a spacer. Note that, according to the second embodiment, the explanation of the same components as those described in the above-described embodiments may be omitted.
Fig. 8 is a plan view of an example of an optoelectronic module in accordance with a second embodiment. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a photovoltaic module according to the second embodiment, and shows a cross-section taken along line D-D in fig. 8.
Referring to fig. 8 and 9, the photovoltaic module 1B is different from the photovoltaic module 1 (see fig. 1 and 2) in that a transparent substrate 70 is disposed on the spacer 30. Note that as the transparent substrate 70, a plurality of transparent substrates laminated to increase strength may be used. In this case, the material of each transparent substrate may be the same or different.
The transparent substrate 70 is disposed on the spacer 30 to contact the spacer 30. A gap between the transparent substrate 70 and the photovoltaic element 20 is obtained.
To account for deflection of the transparent substrate 70 disposed on the spacer 30; and in case of a load applied to the transparent substrate 70, the spacer 30 preferably has a height such that the transparent substrate 70 does not contact the photoelectric element 20 when the assumed load is actually applied to the transparent substrate 70.
The transparent substrate 70 preferably has a haze ratio (haze ratio) of between 0.1% and 16.0%. When the haze ratio of the transparent substrate 70 is greater than 16.0%, scattering of light incident on the transparent substrate 70 within the transparent substrate 70 increases, and the light is not sufficiently transferred to the photoelectric element 20. Therefore, the power of the photoelectric element 20 is reduced.
In contrast, when the transparent substrate 70 has a haze ratio of less than 0.1%, light is directly transmitted without being scattered within the transparent substrate 70. In this case, the scattering of light does not allow the light to be effectively focused onto the photocell 20. For example, the haze ratio of the transparent substrate 70 is preferably between 0.1% and 16.0%, which enables light to be properly scattered within the transparent substrate 70, thereby effectively focusing the light onto the photoelectric element 20.
Note that the haze ratio of the transparent substrate 70 is a ratio of diffusion transmittance (dispersion transmittance) to total transmittance set when light is incident on the transparent substrate 70. The haze ratio is expressed as 0 to 100%. The haze ratio of the transparent substrate 70 can be measured using, for example, a haze meter HZ-1 (manufactured by Suga Test Instruments co., Ltd.). Among them, as for the standard illuminant, an illuminant C defined by the international commission on illumination (CIE) is used together with a light source.
When the material of the transparent substrate 70 has the haze ratio within the above range, the material of the transparent substrate 70 is particularly limited. From the viewpoint of strength and transparency, the material of the transparent substrate 70 preferably includes one or more materials from among glass, acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, and vinylidene chloride resin.
As described above, the photovoltaic module 1B includes the spacer 30, and the spacer 30 has a height greater than the thickness of the photovoltaic element 20. The spacer 30 is arranged to allow a gap between the transparent substrate 70 arranged on the spacer 30 and the photoelectric element 20.
In this way, even when the transparent substrate 70 is deflected by an external load on the transparent substrate 70, the external load is not directly applied to the photoelectric element 20. Therefore, the photoelectric element 20 can be prevented from being deteriorated by an external load. Therefore, the photoelectric element 20 can maintain increased power.
Disposing the transparent substrate 70 on the spacer 30 can improve resistance to local loads.
Note that, for example, applying an ultraviolet protective film to the transparent substrate 70 or the like may allow the transparent substrate 70 to have a function of cutting off ultraviolet light. Therefore, the photoelectric element 20 can be prevented from being deteriorated by ultraviolet light.
In the photovoltaic module 1C shown in fig. 10, a member located at a position where the photovoltaic module is disposed may be used instead of the transparent substrate 70 of the photovoltaic module 1B. For example, when the photovoltaic module 1C is placed on the back of furniture (e.g., a table, etc.) having a transparent top plate 70A (e.g., glass or acrylic), the top plate 70A is an alternative to the transparent substrate 70 shown in fig. 9, as shown in fig. 10. In the photovoltaic module 1C, sunlight or the like enters the light receiving surface of the power generator 22 through the top plate 70A and the substrate 23.
In the photovoltaic module 1D shown in fig. 11, the photovoltaic element 20 may be formed directly on the back surface of the furniture having the transparent top plate 70A. In this case, the top plate 70A, the adhesive layer 60, and the substrate 21 are transparent. The photoelectric element 20 is provided on the back surface of the top plate 70A with the light receiving surface oriented upward (the side facing the top plate 70A). In the photovoltaic module 1D, sunlight or the like enters the light receiving surface of the power generator 22 via the top plate 70A, the adhesive layer 60, and the substrate 21.
In the case of fig. 10 and 11, the photovoltaic modules 1C and 1D have respective spacers 30, each having a height greater than the thickness of the photovoltaic element 20. In fig. 10, the spacer 30 is arranged to allow a gap between the top plate 70A arranged in contact with the spacer 30 and the photoelectric element 20. In fig. 11, the spacer 30 is arranged to allow a gap between the photoelectric element 20 and the substrate 10.
In this way, in the photovoltaic module 1C, even when the top plate 70A deflects due to an external load applied to the top plate 70A, the external load is not directly applied to the photovoltaic elements 20. Therefore, the photoelectric element 20 can be prevented from being deteriorated by an external load. Therefore, the photoelectric element 20 can maintain increased power.
In the case where the top plate 70A is arranged in contact with the spacer 30, resistance to local loads can be improved.
In the photovoltaic module 1D, when the top plate 70A deflects due to an external load on the top plate 70A, the photovoltaic element 20 deflects accordingly, as in the case of the top plate 70A. In this case, the photoelectric element 20 does not contact the substrate 10. Therefore, the photoelectric element 20 can be prevented from being deteriorated by an external load. Therefore, the photoelectric element 20 can maintain increased power.
In the case where the substrate 10 is provided, resistance to a local load can be improved.
The photovoltaic module and the like will be described in more detail below with reference to examples and comparative examples. However, the photovoltaic module is not limited to these examples.
[ example 1]
< preparation of photovoltaic Module >
A photovoltaic module a having the same structure as that shown in fig. 1 and 2 was prepared. Therein, an amorphous silicon solar cell as the photoelectric element 20 is disposed on the substrate 10, and further a spacer 30 is disposed.
< evaluation of photovoltaic Module >
(1) Initial maximum output power
For the prepared photovoltaic module a, current-voltage (I-V) characteristics were evaluated using a solar cell evaluation system (As-510-PV03, manufactured by NY company) under the condition that illumination of 200lx was adjusted using a white Light Emitting Diode (LED). In the evaluation, the rate of change of the maximum output power before and after modularization was calculated. Wherein, the change rate of the maximum output power before and after modularization refers to the maximum output power Pmax (mu W/cm) after modularization2) And the maximum output power Pmax (mu W/cm) before modularization2) The ratio of (a) to (b).
(evaluation criteria)
Excellent (qualified): over 98 percent
Good (acceptable): 95% to 98% (excluding)
Medium (qualified): 90% to 95% (excluding)
Poor (failed): less than 90 percent
(2) Surface load test
The photovoltaic module a with the surface oriented downward was set on a flat panel test stand. A uniform load was gradually applied to the surface of the photovoltaic module a up to 2400pa, and then the maximum load was maintained for 1 hour.
Then, the photovoltaic module a is turned upside down, and the process is performed as for the front surface of the photovoltaic module a. This process for the front and rear surfaces of the photoelectric module a is repeatedly performed a total of three times.
After the test, the I-V characteristic was evaluated to calculate the ratio of the maximum output power after the test to the maximum output power before the test.
(evaluation criteria)
Excellent (qualified): more than 95 percent
Good (acceptable): 90% to 95% (excluding)
Medium (qualified): 80% to 90% (excluding)
Poor (failed): less than 80 percent
[ example 2]
A photovoltaic module B having the same structure as that shown in fig. 6 and 7 was prepared as in the case of example 1 except that a spacer 30A was used instead of the spacer 30. For the photovoltaic module B, evaluation was performed as in the case of example 1.
[ example 3]
A photovoltaic module C having the same structure as that shown in fig. 8 and 9 was prepared, as in the case of example 1, except that an acrylic resin plate having a haze ratio of 0.50% was placed on the spacer 30. Among them, an acrylic resin plate is used as the transparent substrate 70. For the photovoltaic module C, evaluation was performed as in the case of example 1. Note that the haze ratio of the transparent substrate 70 is measured using, for example, a haze meter HZ-1 (manufactured by Suga Test Instruments co., Ltd.). For standard illuminants, illuminant C defined by the international commission on illumination (CIE) is used with a light source (the above-described measurement of the haze ratio also applies to the following examples).
[ example 4]
A photovoltaic module D having the same structure as that shown in fig. 8 and 9 except that a dye-sensitized solar cell is used as the photovoltaic element 20; and an FTO glass plate having a haze ratio of 13.0% was placed on the spacer 30 as in the case of example 1. Among them, an FTO glass plate is used as the transparent substrate 70. For the photovoltaic module D, evaluation was performed as in the case of example 1.
[ example 5]
A photovoltaic module E having the same structure as that shown in fig. 8 and 9 except that a dye-sensitized solar cell is used as the photovoltaic element 20; and glass having a haze ratio of 0.1% was placed on the spacer 30 as in the case of example 1. In which glass is used as the transparent substrate 70. For the optoelectronic module E, evaluation was performed as in the case of example 1.
[ example 6]
A photovoltaic module F having the same structure as that shown in fig. 8 and 9 was prepared except that a dye-sensitized solar cell was used as the photovoltaic element 20; and a suspended glass plate having a haze ratio of 16.0% was placed on the spacer 30, as in the case of example 1. In which a suspended glass plate is used as the transparent substrate 70. For the photovoltaic module F, evaluation was performed as in the case of example 1.
[ example 7]
A photovoltaic module G having the same structure as that shown in fig. 8 and 9 except that a dye-sensitized solar cell is used as the photovoltaic element 20; and an acrylic plate having a haze ratio of 0.5% was placed on the spacer 30, which is the same as the case of example 1. Among them, an acrylic plate is used as the transparent substrate 70. For the photovoltaic module G, evaluation was performed as in the case of example 1.
[ comparative example 1]
A photovoltaic module H having the same structure as that shown in fig. 4 and 5 was prepared as in the case of example 1 except that no spacer was disposed on the substrate 10. For the photovoltaic module H, evaluation was performed as in the case of example 1.
< evaluation results of photovoltaic Module >
Fig. 12 shows evaluation results of the photovoltaic modules a to H. In fig. 12, "excellent", "good", and "medium" all indicate "pass" and "poor" indicates "fail" with respect to the total evaluation.
In fig. 12, the rate of change of the maximum output power before and after modularization indicates "pass" for each of the photovoltaic modules a to H.
In the surface load tests of the photoelectric modules a to G of examples 1 to 7, the spacer 30 or the spacer 30A was provided in each photoelectric module, with the result indicating "pass". In contrast, for the photovoltaic module H of the comparative example in which the spacer was not provided, the result indicated "failed". The results demonstrate that one or more spacers are able to maintain increased stability with respect to surface loading.
In the surface load test, particularly for the photovoltaic modules C to G in examples 3 to 7, in each of which a transparent substrate was provided, the result indicated "excellent". It was confirmed that the transparent substrate was able to maintain further increased stability with respect to surface loading.
The preferred embodiments and the like have been described above in detail. However, various modifications or substitutions may be made to the above-described embodiments and the like without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.